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Topic: Older and Elder |
12 June 2003 |
Older and elder are usually confused because
elder can sometimes be used to mean older,
but not vice versa.
Older is the comparative form of old and the superlative form is oldest.
For example:
That tall building is older than the one in the front.
The oldest building in school is being renovated.
John is older than Sue.
John is the oldest in the family.
When he bought new shoes, he no longer used his older pairs.
Neil threw out his oldest pairs of runners.
Elder and eldest are the comparative and superlative form of old,
but they are only used to describe family members.
For example:
My elder (or older) brother always takes care of me.
John is the eldest (or oldest) in the family.
His eldest son is killed in a car accident.
Note:
You can avoid making mistakes by always using older.
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Exercise: Older and Elder |
| Directions: Decide whether the use of elder, eldest, older and oldest is correct in the following sentences. |
 1.They have got to kids, Tom and Rob. Rob is the elder of the two. |
| 2.Many boys dream of becoming police or soldiers when they get elder. |
| 3.The oldest son usually has the most responsibilities. |
| 4.The oldest dog we have is older than 10 years. |
| 5.Joanne is very beautiful. You wont believe that she is older than 40. |
| 6.With wine, the elder the better. |
| 7.My elder sister is getting married next summer. |
| 8.She is marrying a much older guy. |
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Answers |
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